A 27 cm Silurian Cephalopod Casting

This cephalopod was found about 2 weeks ago protruding from a larger boulder. After about 15 minutes with a rock hammer and chisel, it was freed but it came out in several pieces. With the help of some cement the pieces were re-assembled into this approximate 27 cm (10.5 inch) Silurian period Dawsonoceras cephalopod.

Note the well defined ribbed pattern through the shell imprint. The growth lines have worn away. The size of this creature was impressive. It was one formidable predator in its day. I wonder why its beak imprints are not found on other fossils like trilobite shells? I would assume they would look like triangular shapes.

Found in Louisville Limestone in Jefferson County, Kentucky. This one belongs to someone else.




Here are some pictures of its other side with a small piece of coral still attached to the shell imprint.